Omar Bennett
Visual diplomacy is a term used to describe the ways in which diplomacy depends on visuality, visual artefacts, or visual staging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation of physical summit meetings and the shift to virtual meetings provided new opportunities for visual diplomacy. For example, leaders participating in virtual summits were responsible for their own staging, giving them the chance to create a favourable impression of themselves and their respective states. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has a position called Information Assistant in the Public Diplomacy section, which involves assisting with all stages of video/visual communications supporting Embassy activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, Design, or Film/Cinema studies is required |
| Specialized Training | Specialized training in press and publications, radio, TV, VCR, or motion pictures is required |
| Skills | Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, ability to prioritize work schedule and competing demands of incoming requests, demonstrated artistic sensibility and mastery of audio-visual skills |
| Role | Assist with all stages of video/visual communications supporting Embassy activities |
| Work closely with | Social Media Coordinator, Information Specialist |
| Supervised by | Public Diplomacy Officer responsible for press activities |
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What You'll Learn
Visual diplomacy in virtual summitry
On March 26, 2020, the rapid spread of the coronavirus led to the shutdown of entire states. Travel restrictions and quarantine protocols meant that the G20 summit had to be held virtually. This virtual summitry provided a stark visual contrast to the traditional staging of modern multilateral diplomacy. Leaders, who were used to having their visuals curated, were now responsible for their own staging. This gave them new opportunities to create a favourable impression of how they, and their respective states, would be seen.
Virtual summits quickly became one of the main ways for states to engage in visual diplomacy. The cancellation of physical summit meetings caused ambiguity over decorum and etiquette, and virtual summits provided new ways to be seen. World leaders were placed in unusual visual frames. Instead of the traditional summit 'family photo', summits were communicated through the multiple gallery views of video conference tools.
Analysing the visual performances during these meetings can provide insight into how visual performances contribute to upholding status distinctions in multilateral diplomacy. By giving attention to the ways in which participating states signal status, we can learn more about the frames of social participation in the summit diplomacy context.
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Visual communication in diplomacy
The practice of diplomacy relies heavily on symbols, rituals, and ceremonies, often enhanced by props and visual staging. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, world leaders resorted to virtual summitry, which presented new opportunities for visual diplomacy. Leaders were responsible for their own staging, allowing them to create favourable impressions and project their state's image to seek recognition from other states.
In the context of visual diplomacy, state leaders may use their surroundings, clothing, and visual artefacts to convey specific messages or signal their country's position. For instance, a leader participating in a virtual summit from their living room could be interpreted as signalling that they are taking the pandemic seriously and following the same recommendations as their citizens. However, it could also inadvertently suggest a sense of ontological security, indicating that their country is content with its position and does not seek to increase its relative status.
Overall, visual communication in diplomacy is a powerful tool that can influence public opinion, shape international relations, and contribute to achieving diplomatic objectives. It requires a careful combination of technical skills, artistic sensibility, and cross-cultural understanding to create meaningful and impactful visual messages that support the work of embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide.
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The role of a visual diplomacy assistant
A key aspect of the role is to help create a favourable impression of the state and its representatives. This can be achieved through the use of visual staging, symbols, rituals, and ceremonies, often assisted by props. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual summits became a primary means of conducting diplomacy. Leaders were responsible for their own staging, creating new opportunities to shape how they and their respective states were perceived.
The Visual Diplomacy Assistant must have excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, be able to prioritise their work schedule, and demonstrate artistic sensibility and mastery of audio-visual skills. A bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Design, or Film/Cinema Studies is usually required, along with specialized training in press and publications, radio, TV, or motion pictures.
In summary, the Visual Diplomacy Assistant plays a crucial role in shaping the visual aspects of diplomatic communications, ensuring that the state's representatives and activities are presented in a favourable light through the effective use of visual media.
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Qualifications for a visual diplomacy assistant
Visual diplomacy is a term used to describe the ways in which diplomacy depends on visuality, visual artefacts, or visual staging. The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to virtual summitry have provided new opportunities for visual diplomacy, as state leaders are responsible for their own staging and can create a favourable impression of themselves and their respective states.
A Visual Diplomacy Assistant supports the activities of an embassy through video/visual communications and works closely with the Social Media Coordinator and Information Specialist. The qualifications for this role include:
- A Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, Design, or Film/Cinema Studies is required.
- Specialized training in press and publications, radio, TV, VCR, or motion pictures is essential.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills are vital, as well as the ability to prioritize a work schedule and manage competing demands and incoming requests.
- Artistic sensibility and mastery of audio-visual skills are necessary.
- Experience in video production and editing would be beneficial, as well as knowledge of social media platforms and digital communication tools.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills are important, as the role requires working with various stakeholders and colleagues.
- Knowledge of international relations, diplomacy, and cross-cultural communication would be advantageous.
- Proficiency in multiple languages could be beneficial, depending on the specific embassy and its location.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are important, as well as the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
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Visual diplomacy in the COVID-19 pandemic
Visual diplomacy is a concept that has gained prominence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the shift to virtual meetings and summits has altered the dynamics of diplomatic interactions. The loss of physicality in diplomacy has resulted in the disappearance of two critical dimensions of summitry: sublime governance and inter-moments. This change has had acute consequences, especially as diplomacy continues to move towards online platforms.
The cancellation of physical summit meetings during the pandemic created ambiguity around decorum and etiquette. This forced a shift to virtual summitry, which provided new avenues for states to engage in "visual diplomacy". State representatives, keen on creating favourable impressions, utilised virtual meetings to showcase specific locales and signal various aspects of their countries. For example, Justin Trudeau's participation in the G20 meeting from his living room due to self-imposed quarantine could have signalled his commitment to following pandemic guidelines and recommendations.
Visual diplomacy also extends to the use of photographs as instruments of public diplomacy. China, facing an existential threat to its image due to the pandemic's origins in Wuhan, launched a communications offensive. Through visual storytelling and photographs distributed by its news agency, Xinhua, China aimed to showcase its success in containing the virus and reinforce its narrative as a "peace-loving and responsible global leader". A survey of 1,000 US adults indicated that these visual strategies had a positive impact on China's international image.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital communication as a strategic tool for Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) to conduct contemporary diplomatic messaging. Social media platforms, in particular, have emerged as key arenas for foreign policy signalling and visual diplomacy. The digital transformation of diplomacy has unveiled both positive and negative practices, underscoring the power of digitalization and its limitations in shaping international relations.
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Frequently asked questions
A visual diplomacy assistant is a staff member who assists with all stages of video/visual communications to support Embassy activities.
A bachelor's degree in fine arts, design, or film/cinema studies is required, along with specialized training in press and publications, radio, TV, VCR, or motion pictures.
The visual diplomacy assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Public Diplomacy Officer responsible for press activities and will assist with video/visual communications. They will also work closely with the Social Media Coordinator and Information Specialist.
Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, the ability to prioritize work, and demonstrated artistic sensibility and mastery of audio-visual skills are required for the role.
You can apply for the position of Visual Diplomacy Assistant at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa by submitting the required documents via email to HRKinshasa@state.gov.
